Pikes Peak State College’s Black Student Union Celebrates Black History Month with Empowering Events and Community Engagement 

Colorado Springs, CO – January 30, 2025 – The Black Student Union (BSU) at Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) is taking the charge to honor Black History Month 2025 with a series of impactful and inspiring events. Under the theme “Rest as Resistance: Healing Ancestral Trauma Through Intentional Self-Preservation & Care,” this year’s programming celebrates Black culture, fosters community engagement, and empowers students to achieve personal and professional success. We invite the media to attend the following events and to share the invitation with the greater Colorado Springs community.  

“Black History Month is a time for honoring resilience, celebrating culture, and fostering growth,” said Ty’Anna Jones, BSU President. “We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the achievements of Black individuals and communities while creating meaningful connections.” 

BSU President Ty’Anna Jones has played a pivotal role in organizing this year’s events. Thanks to her leadership and community involvement, the Windy Pines Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to the PPSC BSU. This funding will support the BSU’s ongoing initiatives and efforts to make a lasting impact on campus and in the local community. 

Executive leadership from PPSC is excited about the direction of the Black Student Union. “Ty’Anna Jones recently took the helm as President of PPSC’s Black Student Union. Her involvement in the community and her robust social media presence has gained the attention of external foundations and organizations. This has resulted in the first, of what will be many, unsolicited grants for the Black Student Union,” says Donna Nelson, Chief Development Officer of the PPSC Foundation. “Ty’Anna is the perfect example of the type of perseverance needed in student leadership.” 

Featured Events 

February 5 | BSU Recruitment and Black Book Exchange 
The BSU will host its Recruitment and Black Book Exchange at two locations: the Downtown Campus Club Fair from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and the Centennial Campus from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm outside the Student Engagement and Leadership Office. Students are encouraged to bring a book by a Black author and exchange it for another, promoting literary appreciation and community connections. 

February 15 | Private Tour of the Colorado Springs African American Museum 
Join the BSU for a private tour of the Colorado Springs African American Museum, located at 1628 W. Bijou St. Tours run from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, and donations are kindly accepted to support the African American Historical and Genealogical Society of Colorado Springs. 

February 19 | Black Men’s and Black Women’s Empowerment Workshops 
The BSU will host its first-ever empowerment workshops at the Centennial Campus. These sessions, held from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, aim to create safe spaces for participants to share their lived experiences and gain tools for academic, personal, and professional success. 

• Black Women’s Empowerment Workshop (Room A140) features community advocates Ashley Finley, Brittany Nash, and Ashley Robinson. 

• Black Men’s Empowerment Workshop (Room C200) features advocates Sidney Conner and Arthur Bellfield. 

February 22 | Volunteer Opportunity: BSU Talent Hunt with the Uplift Foundation 
The BSU will support the Uplift Foundation of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., during their scholarship talent show. Students are invited to volunteer for this event from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the Centennial Campus Theater (Room A120). 

February 25, 26, 27 | Honoring Black History Month Through Service 

PPSC’s Student Experience and Leadership (SEL) will host Community Care in Action: Honoring Black History Month Through Service, an initiative inspired by the legacy of the Black Panther Party’s dedication to community empowerment. Students will assemble kits at the Centennial and Rampart Range campuses, where a PowerPoint presentation will highlight the Black Panther Party’s impactful programs, such as free breakfast programs, health clinics, and educational advocacy. Kits will then be distributed to community members near the Downtown Campus, reinforcing a commitment to service, equity, and social justice.  

• Tuesday, February 25, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm – Rampart Range; Atrium 

• Wednesday, February 26, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm – Centennial; The Grove 

• Thursday, February 27, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm – Downtown Studio; The Commons 

February 26 |Black History Month Assembly 
The month’s signature event, the Black History Month Assembly, will take place from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the Centennial Campus Atrium. This celebration features a keynote address by Kimberly Gold, President of the Colorado Springs Black Chamber of Commerce, a performance by the Colorado Springs Poetry Slam, and a Greek Step Show by members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Food vendors and community organizations will also be on-site, creating an enriching and festive atmosphere. 

For more details, book donations, or to RSVP for specific events, email bsuppsc@gmail.com. 

About Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) 

Established in 1968 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Pikes Peak offers associate degrees, certificates in career and technical fields and a growing number of bachelors’ degrees. With four campuses, various off-campus locations, two military education centers, and hundreds of online classes, PPSC provides access to a quality, affordable and flexible education to more than 17,000 students annually with both credit and non-credit classes.